There has been little in the way of air-to-air combat so far during the conflict with Yugoslavia.
Among its offerings: thermal imaging devices, combat display workstations, air combat training systems and logistics support services.
Tadd Sholtis, a spokesman for Air Combat Command, which oversees the drones and all other Air Force tactical aircraft.
Mike Hostage, commander of Air Combat Command at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia.
UAVs could be as effective as manned fighters at dropping bombs, air-to-air combat and silencing the enemy's air defences.
Mike Hostage, commander of Air Combat Command, said senior leaders are analyzing the military's drone needs and discussions are beginning.
The entire operation was part of Air Force Special Operations Command, but recently moved under the umbrella of Air Combat Command.
The aircraft maintains the air-to-air combat ability of the main F-15 fighter as the pilot can detect and fire at other aircraft.
"Even a six-month stand down of units will have significant long-term, multi-year impacts on our operational readiness, " Air Combat Command spokesman Maj.
Returning grounded units to be ready for missions will require additional funds beyond Air Combat Command's normal budget, according to Air Force officials.
Just prior to the war in Iraq, Phillips became the first female journalist to fly in an F-14 air-to-air combat training mission over the Persian Gulf.
However, it decided to acquire 12 new Growlers instead to avoid taking any of the existing Super Hornets out of action, and "to assure Australia's air combat capability during the transition period to the Joint Strike Fighter".
The problem is--assuming the F-35 sees the light of day in a timely manner--that this aircraft simply doesn't do the job in air-to-air combat that the F-22 does, nor does it have the F22's ability to penetrate sophisticated defenses.
By 2017, the Air Force wants to have 10 crews per combat air patrols, in order to meet staffing requirements and allow the drone pilots time for schooling, training and other career-building time.
MSN: Next Top Guns? Air Force faces shortage of drone pilots
The modern air wing can provide credible combat capacity with 80-125 air dominance, strike, electronic warfare, and surveillance combat missions each day.
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To staff 65 combat air patrols, the Air Force will need nearly 1, 700 drone pilots and 1, 200 sensor operators.
MSN: Next Top Guns? Air Force faces shortage of drone pilots
They represent a unique warfare capability that can quickly arrive at a trouble spot and provide robust, and sustainable combat air power.
FORBES: Why Does The United States Only Have Eleven Aircraft Carriers?
Right now, drones are completing 57 24-hour combat air patrols a day, mostly in Afghanistan, Pakistan and areas around Yemen and the Africa coast.
MSN: Next Top Guns? Air Force faces shortage of drone pilots
Right now, Predator and Reaper drones that pilots fly remotely from thousands of miles away are completing 59 24-hour combat air patrols a day, mostly in Afghanistan, Pakistan and areas around Yemen and the Africa coast.
Ironically, there are rumors of flagging Navy support in recent budget deliberations for a program that could effectively provide U.S. carrier battle groups with several means for mitigating these missile threats: the Navy Unmanned Combat Air System (N-UCAS).
More than a third of the 182 Predators deployed by the Air Force have crashed in combat or other operations, according to Air Force statistics.
Following 78 Korean missions with 121 hours in the air, Neil received the Air Medal for 20 combat missions, a gold Star for another 20, and the Korean Service Medal.
They are a mixture of Green Berets, Rangers and the Delta Force from the Army, the Seals (which stands for Sea-Air-Land) from the Navy and the Air Force's combat controllers and para rescue teams.
Admirals are enthusiasts for aircraft carriers and air marshals favour the latest combat aircraft.
Air Force officials credit their Combat Search and Rescue teams with more than 750 saves in Iraq and Afghanistan since September 11, 2001.
His book moves on to the Vietnam War, describing his Air Force service, his combat missions and even his survival after being shot down.
The civilian "Women Air Service Pilots" performed important military duties including ferrying combat aircraft from the factories where they were made to various air bases around the country.
But its fortifying magic works wonders to combat moisture-free air and hat head.
Years before he joined the Air Force, Morgan was a combat medic for the 82nd Airborne's 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
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